Updated 2023
If your cruise ship or ferry has Rome (Roma) on the itinerary, it docks at the port of Civitavecchia, Rome’s modern port about 50 miles away. From Civitavecchia you’ll probably need to get to the airport or into Rome (or the reverse if you need to get to your cruise ship). Here are transportation options:
How to Take the Train or Shuttle Bus from Civitavecchia to Rome
Civitavecchia’s train station is near the entrance of the port, but quite a distance from where passengers usually disembark. From the Civitavecchia train station there are usually several regular trains per hour going to Rome’s Termini station, the central train station, taking a little over an hour (you can buy these directly at the station). Faster, and more expensive, frecce trains make it to Termini Station in about 45 minutes. Some trains also go to Tiburtina or Ostiense stations in Rome.
To get to the Civitavecchia train station, use the Port Shuttle Bus. See port shuttle bus for information about various shuttles for getting out of the port area to where you want to go.
If you’re spending the night in Rome you’ll probably need to take a taxi to your hotel from the station as buses and the metro can be very crowded and difficult to manage with luggage. Read more about taxis in Rome.
Another option is a Shuttle Bus from Civitavecchia to Rome. It travels between the Welcome Center at the port to Termini Station in Rome, taking about an hour.
You could also take a shorter train ride to the town of Tarquinia to see the painted Etruscan tombs and archaeological museum and stroll through the charming medieval town center.
How to Take the Train to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport
Fiumicino, Rome’s international airport, is about 40 miles from the port. Inexpensive regional trains from Civitavecchia station go to Roma Trastevere station, where you can change to a regional train for Fiumicino. This is the least expensive option (but keep in mind that you have to get out of the port area to the train station first).
If you take a fast, frecce, train from Civitavecchia to Termini, Rome’s central train station, you can take the Leonardo Express train to the airport.
To find train times and prices, go to Trenitalia and enter Civitavecchia and Fiumicino. Passengers of cruise ships trying to avoid the cost of a cruise shuttle or private shuttle to the airport often wish they had gone with a shuttle. While the train is less expensive, the changes make it inconvenient for passengers with much luggage.
Private Transfer Services from Civitavecchia Port
Private or shared transfer or shuttle services are available to take you from the cruise ship port to the airport or into Rome, going directly to your hotel rather than having to take a taxi from the train station. Arranged shuttle services usually meet passengers near where the mobility bus drops them, avoiding the hassle of trying to get to the train station from there.
- Book a private transfer to or from Rome or the airport with Miles&Miles.
Things to Do with a Day in Port
If you’d prefer a smaller, more personalized tour than the cruise ship offers, book a Rome Shore Excursion full-day tour with Miles&Miles, one of our favorite tour companies, that includes pick-up and drop-off at your ship and an English-speaking private guide. Or if you want to get into Rome on your own, make the most of your day with this Rome In A Day Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center that includes top sights and a guided tour of both the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
If you don’t want to worry about making it back to your ship on time but want to explore a little on your own, you can spend the morning wandering through the old town, visiting the National Archaeological Museum, and exploring the market, then have a relaxing seafood lunch in a restaurant.
You could also spend the day at a nearby beach or visit the ruins of the Roman baths, Le Terme Taurine, and soak in the Ficoncella hot springs. There’s even a pebble beach in Civitavecchia, near the train station, and a seaside promenade with bars and restaurants.
- See and compare Civitavecchia hotels if you want to spend the night before or after your cruise.
Be Careful: If you decide to go out on your own, into Rome or to other nearby towns or even just in Civitavecchia, allow extra time to get back to the ship! Taking a taxi or private shuttle (see above) back to the port is probably the best option to avoid being late.
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